If you are considering adopting an older child, especially a teenager, be prepared to talk openly about sex and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Teenagers in foster care are more likely to be sexually active than their peers are and less likely to use protection. One out of every four female Americans over the age of 12 is infected with the Herpes Virus. At least 45 million Americans, or one out of every five people over 12 years, have this sexually transmitted disease.

An article in the Child Welfare League of America contained the following information about teenagers in foster care and sex.

“In one major study on sexual activity among youths in foster care, it reported that 41.1% had had intercourse, 40.5% were recently sexually active, and 56.8% had intercourse while in the current family foster home.

In a 1992 survey, 86% of all teens age 15 and older in the custody of the Vermont Department of Social and Rehabilitate Services reported that they were sexually active….reported that of the sexually active teens in foster care, only 38% reported using any type of contraceptive regularly.

There may not be any indications or symptoms to alert a person that they have an infection from HSV-1 or HSV-2. Typical symptoms usually appear in about 10 days as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. When the blisters break, they leave sores or ulcers that can take up to four weeks to heal after the first occurrence. Other outbreaks will occur either weeks or months later, usually about five a year, but are typically less severe and don’t last as long as the first outbreak. The number of outbreaks decreases over a period of years but the infection last indefinitely.

NEWSFLASH TEENS! Herpes can be transmitted to a sexual partner even when the skin does not appear to be broken, so you can’t see it to avoid it. HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be released from the skin whether or not there is a sore. HSV-2 infection is generally contracted during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection.

Although HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, more commonly it causes fever blisters on the mouth and lips. HSV-1 infection of the genitals can be caused by oral to genital contact, or genital to genital contact, with a HSV-1 infected person. Genital HSV-1 outbreaks do not occur as often as genital HSV-2 outbreaks.

Although antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks while the infected person is taking the medication, there is NO CURE. Genital HSV can cause fatal infections in babies. Fortunately, it is rare for a baby to be infected by a woman with herpes. Women who have active genital herpes at delivery are usually given a cesarean.

HSV cannot always be detected by a blood test, therefore infections can be difficult to diagnose between outbreaks. Abstinence is the surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. While using condoms can reduce the risk, they may not cover all infected areas. Therefore, they cannot guarantee protection from genital herpes.

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CDC-INFO
1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
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National Herpes Hotline
(919) 361-8488
National Herpes Resource Center
herpesnet@ashastd.org

CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN)
P.O. Box 6003
Rockville, MD 20849-6003
1-800-458-5231
1-888-282-7681 Fax
1-800-243-7012 TTY
E-mail: info@cdcnpin.org
American Social Health Association (ASHA)
P. O. Box 13827
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3827
1-800-783-9877
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